PhD Studentship: Alpha Energy Deposition Simulations for Direct-drive Laser Fusion

Supervisors:

Dr. Tom Goffrey (Physic), Prof. Tony Arber (Physics)

Summary:

The recent successes at the National Ignition Facility in achieving fusion gain from laser-driven implosions is major step forward for fusion research. For UK based researchers the next step is to work towards a direct-driven laser fusion facility. Such a step requires predictive models for laser system and fuel pellet design. Such codes are also needed now to interpret existing experimental data.

Warwick has developed a dedicated fluid code for this work but it is missing some key physics packages. The code needs to include fusion reactions and alpha particle energy deposition. This involves coupling particle based MC codes to the fluid code with quantifiable estimates of uncertainty. The project is part funded and supervised by the Central Laser Facility at the Rutherford laboratory and is part of a much wider UK coordinated fusion programme.

About the CDT:

HetSys is an EPSRC-supported Centre for Doctoral Training. It recruits enthusiastic students from across physical sciences, mathematics and engineering who enjoy using their mathematical skills and thinking flexibly to solve complex problems. By developing these skills HetSys trains people to challenge current state-of-the-art in computational modelling of heterogeneous, ‘real world’ systems across a range of research themes such as nanoscale devices, new catalysts, superalloys, smart fluids, space plasmas etc. They have recently been awarded £11m to train PhD cohorts in computation modelling.

HetSys is built around a closely knit, highly collaborative team of academics from five science departments at Warwick with a strong track record in leading large projects. With its project partners HetSys develops talented, energetic PhD students to push boundaries in this exciting field. The students have the potential to inspire new ideas, approaches and innovation and become future leaders in developing new technologies. HetSys builds on Warwick's cross-departmental scientific computing research community and the Warwick Centre for Predictive Modelling.

https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/hetsys/themes/projectopportunities/

Additional Funding Information

Awards for UK residents pay a stipend to cover maintenance as well as paying the university fees and a research training support. The stipend is at the standard UKRI rate £19,237. We are unable to accept applications for overseas students at this time.

For more details visit: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/hetsys/apply/funding/